Virtual-World Simulator

Number: 20220020204
Published: 2022-01-20
Filed: 2020-07-15
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Coffey; Dane M., Goldberg; Evan M., Chapman; Steven M., Baker; Daniel L., Deuel; Matthew, Mine; Mark R.
CPC: G06T15/005; G05B19/4155; G06T15/20; G06T7/20
Verdict: High Notable software
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Virtual-world/robotics simulator technique.

Abstract

In one implementation, a virtual-world simulator includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code, a tracking system communicatively coupled to the computing platform, and a projection device communicatively coupled to the computing platform. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to obtain a map of a geometry of a real-world venue including the virtual-world simulator, to identify one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue, and to use the tracking system to track a moving perspective of one of a user in the real-world venue or a camera in the real-world venue. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the software code to control the projection device to simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a present vantage point of the tracked moving perspective.

Background

BACKGROUND

In augmented reality (AR), the appearance of a real-world environment can be digitally modified to provide a user with the sensation of engaging with a virtual-world. AR is increasingly used to produce entertainment experiences that are more immersive and engaging. Moreover, AR can be used to modify images of the real-world through augmentation in ways that have practical applications. Nevertheless, a user wishing to enjoy or otherwise utilize a virtual environment generated using AR must typically view real-world objects through the viewport of an AR enabled personal device, such as AR glasses or goggles, an AR headset, or a suitably configured smartphone or tablet computer, in order to see those real-world objects overlaid by virtual projections. Moreover, conventional approaches to generating AR imagery produce two-dimensional (2D) digital augmentations to three-dimensional (3D) real-world objects.

Despite their inability to provide a true 3D virtual experience, AR glasses, goggles, and headsets can be costly and inconvenient to wear. In addition, the increased concern over the spread of communicable disease will likely mandate burdensome sanitation procedures in usage environments in which wearable AR viewing equipment is shared by multiple users. Furthermore, requiring the use of an AR enabled personal device to enjoy a virtual environment effectively precludes multiple users from sharing the same experience. Consequently, there is a need in the

Claims

1. A virtual-world simulator in a real-world venue, the virtual-world simulator comprising: a computing platform including a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code; a tracking system communicatively coupled to the computing platform; and a handheld device configured for use by a user in the real-world venue and communicatively coupled to the computing platform; the hardware processor configured to execute the software code to: obtain a map of a geometry of the real-world venue; identify one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue; track, using the tracking system, a moving perspective of one of the user in the real-world venue or a camera in the real-world venue; and control the handheld device to simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a present vantage point of the tracked moving perspective. || 11. A method for use by a virtual-world simulator in a real-world venue, the virtual-world simulator including a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code, the computing platform communicatively coupled to a tracking system and a handheld device configured for use by a user in the real-world venue, the method comprising: obtaining, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, a map of a geometry of the real-world venue; identifying, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue; tracking, by the software code executed by the hardware processor and using the tracking system, a moving perspective of one of the user in the real-world venue or a camera in the real-world venue; and controlling, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, the handheld device to simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a present vantage point of the tracked moving perspective. || 21. A virtual-world simulator in a real-world venue, the virtual-world simulator comprising: a computing platform including a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code; a tracking system communicatively coupled to the computing platform; and a projection device communicatively coupled to the computing platform; the hardware processor configured to execute the software code to: obtain a map of a geometry of the real-world venue; identify one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue; track, using the tracking system, a first moving perspective of a first user in the real-world venue; track, using the tracking system, a second moving perspective of a second user in the real-world venue; and control the projection device to concurrently simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a first present vantage point of the tracked first moving perspective and a second present vantage point of the tracked second moving perspective. || 22. A virtual-world simulator in a real-world venue, the virtual-world simulator comprising: a computing platform including a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code; a tracking system communicatively coupled to the computing platform; and a projection device communicatively coupled to the computing platform; the hardware processor configured to execute the software code to: obtain a map of a geometry of the real-world venue; identify one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue; track, using the tracking system, a first moving perspective of a first user in the real-world venue; control the projection device to simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a first present vantage point of the tracked first moving perspective; detect a user device utilized by a second user in the real-world venue; track, using the tracking system, a second moving perspective of a second user in the real-world venue; generate a simulation of the virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a second present vantage point of the tracked second moving perspective; and transmit the generated simulation to the user device for display to the second user while concurrently simulating the virtual-world from the first vantage point of the tracked first moving perspective. || 23. A virtual-world simulator in a real-world venue, the virtual-world simulator comprising: a computing platform including a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code; a tracking system communicatively coupled to the computing platform; and a projection device communicatively coupled to the computing platform; the hardware processor configured to execute the software code to: obtain a map of a geometry of the real-world venue; identify one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue; track, using the tracking system, a moving perspective of a camera in the real-world venue; and control the projection device to simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a present vantage point of the tracked moving perspective, wherein the camera is configured to obtain an image of the user in the simulated virtual-world. || 24. A method for use by a virtual-world simulator in a real-world venue, the virtual-world simulator including a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code, the computing platform communicatively coupled to a tracking system and a projection device, the method comprising: obtaining, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, a map of a geometry of the real-world venue; identifying, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue; tracking, by the software code executed by the hardware processor and using the tracking system, a first moving perspective of a first user in the real-world venue; tracking, by the software code executed by the hardware processor and using the tracking system, a second moving perspective of a second user in the real-world venue; and controlling, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, the projection device to concurrently simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a first present vantage point of the tracked first moving perspective and a second present vantage point of the tracked second moving perspective. || 25. A method for use by a virtual-world simulator in a real-world venue, the virtual-world simulator including a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code, the computing platform communicatively coupled to a tracking system and a projection device, the method comprising: obtaining, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, a map of a geometry of the real-world venue; identifying, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue; tracking, by the software code executed by the hardware processor and using the tracking system, a first moving perspective of a first user in the real-world venue; controlling, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, the projection device to simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a first present vantage point of the tracked first moving perspective; detecting, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, a user device utilized by a second user in the real-world venue; tracking, by the software code executed by the hardware processor and using the tracking system, a second moving perspective of a second user in the real-world venue; generating, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, a simulation of the virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a second present vantage point of the tracked second moving perspective; and transmitting, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, the generated simulation to the user device for display to the second user while concurrently simulating the virtual-world from the first vantage point of the tracked first moving perspective. || 26. A method for use by a virtual-world simulator in a real-world venue, the virtual-world simulator including a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code, the computing platform communicatively coupled to a tracking system and a projection device, the method comprising: obtaining, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, a map of a geometry of the real-world venue; identifying, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue; tracking, by the software code executed by the hardware processor and using the tracking system, a moving perspective of a camera in the real-world venue; tracking, by the software code executed by the hardware processor and using the tracking system, a second moving perspective of a second user in the real-world venue; and controlling, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, the projection device to simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a present vantage point of the tracked moving perspective, wherein the camera is configured to obtain an image of the user in the simulated virtual-world.